ascorbic-acid and Infections

Respiratory and gastrointestinal infections limit an athlete's availability to train and compete. To better understand how sick an athlete will become when they have an infection, a paradigm recently adopted from ecological immunology is presented that includes the concepts of immune resistance (the ability to destroy microbes) and immune tolerance (the ability to dampen defence yet control infection at a non-damaging level). This affords a new theoretical perspective on how nutrition may influence athlete immune health; paving the way for focused research efforts on tolerogenic nutritional supplements to reduce the infection burden in athletes. Looking through this new lens clarifies why nutritional supplements targeted at improving immune resistance in athletes show limited benefits: evidence supporting the old paradigm of immune suppression in athletes is lacking. Indeed, there is limited evidence that the dietary practices of athletes suppress immunity, e.g. low-energy availability and train- or sleep-low carbohydrate. It goes without saying, irrespective of the dietary preference (omnivorous, vegetarian), that athletes are recommended to follow a balanced diet to avoid a frank deficiency of a nutrient required for proper immune function. The new theoretical perspective provided sharpens the focus on tolerogenic nutritional supplements shown to reduce the infection burden in athletes, e.g. probiotics, vitamin C and vitamin D. Further research should demonstrate the benefits of candidate tolerogenic supplements to reduce infection in athletes; without blunting training adaptations and without side effects.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Athletes; Dietary Supplements; Disease Resistance; Humans; Immune System; Infections; Nutritional Requirements; Probiotics; Risk Factors; Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Vitamin D

Pathogenic organism can be considered as pro-oxidant agents because they produce cell death and tissue damage. In addition organism can be eliminated by specific cell defense mechanism which utilize in part, reactive oxygen radicals formed by oxidative stress responses. The cause of the necessarily defense process results in cell damage thereby leading to development of inflammation, a characteristic oxidative stress situation. This fact shows the duality of oxidative stress in infections and inflammation: oxygen free radicals protect against microorganism attack and can produce tissue damage during this protection to trigger inflammation. Iron, a transition metal which participates generating oxygen free radicals, displays also this duality in infection. We suggest also that different infectious pathologies, such as sickle cell anemia/malaria and AIDS, may display in part this duality. In addition, it should be noted that oxidative damage observed in infectious diseases is mostly due the inflammatory response than to the oxidative potential of the pathogenic agent, this last point is exemplified in cases of respiratory distress and in glomerulonephritis. This review analyzes these controversial facts of infectious pathology in relation with oxidative stress.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Animals; Antioxidants; Arachidonic Acid; Ascorbic Acid; Cells, Cultured; Child; Endotoxins; Fetus; Free Radicals; Glomerulonephritis; Humans; Infections; Inflammation; Iron; Malaria; Mice; Oxidative Stress; Phagocytosis; Rabbits; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Sheep

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Capillary Fragility; Child; Child, Preschool; Environment; Female; Hormones; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infections; Lactation; Male; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Nutritional Requirements; Physical Exertion; Pregnancy; Wound Healing

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Deficiency Diseases; Female; Fever; Folic Acid; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Kinetics; Male; Milk, Human; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; Pyridoxine; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Developing Countries; Diet; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Hygiene; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Iron; Malabsorption Syndromes; Male; Nitrogen; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Requirements; Vitamin B 12

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the etiology of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome and infectious complications in trauma patients by either direct cellular toxicity and/or the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Studies have shown that the antioxidant defenses of the body are decreased in trauma patients; these include glutathione, for which N-acetylcysteine is a precursor, and selenium, which is a cofactor for glutathione. Eighteen trauma patients were prospectively randomized to a control or antioxidant group where they received N-acetylcysteine, selenium, and vitamins C and E for 7 days. As compared with the controls, the antioxidant group showed fewer infectious complications (8 versus 18) and fewer organs dysfunctioning (0 versus 9). There were no deaths in either group. We conclude that these preliminary data may support a role for the use of this antioxidant mixture to decrease the incidence of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome and infectious complications in the severely injured patient. This remains to be confirmed in larger trials.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Infections; Injury Severity Score; Multiple Organ Failure; Prospective Studies; Selenium; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin E; Wounds and Injuries

Ascorbic acid (AA), a plasma antioxidant, is maintained at high levels in premature fetal blood and declines rapidly postpartum. The sudden reduction in blood AA levels secondary to premature delivery may increase the risk of oxidant injury, that is, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intraventricular hemorrhage. There is concern that administration of AA to premature infants, in an effort to increase antioxidant capacity, may cause hemolysis. We felt that the benefits of early AA administration and prevention of the immediate postnatal drop in blood AA levels, might outweigh the risks of erthrocyte damage. Fifty one high-risk premature infants were randomized to receive either normal saline or 100 mg/kg of AA, daily for the first week of life. Double-blind comparisons were made of hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte morphology, bilirubin, number of blood transfusions and days of phototherapy, renal function tests, the incidence of infection, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and intraventricular hemorrhage during the first month of life. The administration of AA prevented the immediate postnatal drop in AA and was not associated with evidence of increased hemolysis. No significant differences in renal function, rate of infection, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or intraventricular hemorrhage were seen between the two groups. This study suggests that AA administration to the premature infant is safe and supports the designing and performance of larger clinical studies of the antioxidant properties of AA.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bilirubin; Blood Transfusion; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cohort Studies; Double-Blind Method; Erythrocytes; Hematocrit; Hemoglobins; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Infections; Kidney; Phototherapy; Reference Values; Safety

Host defence mechanisms against microbial invasion requires an adequate number and function of phagocytic cells. There is evidence that vitamin C, which has been claimed to play a role in several aspects of host defence mechanisms, is involved significantly at least in phagocytic function. Vitamin C has been shown to interfere with oxidative metabolism, bactericidal power and chemotaxis of neutrophil granulocytes. The authors present evidence that, in vitro, vitamin C stimulates the true chemotactic response of normal human granulocytes. In addition the results of clinical trials in patients with recurrent infections and primary deficiencies of neutrophil function are presented. In such patients vitamin C therapy induced the restoration of impaired functions. A significant clinical improvement was also seen in the majority of cases. Vitamin C represents the specific therapy for primary defects of phagocytic function in patients with recurrent infections.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Infections; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis

Topics: Aged; Alanine Transaminase; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Cell Count; Blood Circulation; Blood Glucose; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Body Weight; Computers; Eosinophils; Female; Glutamates; Health Surveys; Hemoglobinometry; Humans; Infections; Lipids; Lymphocytes; Male; Minerals; Placebos; Prothrombin Time; Pyridoxine; Pyruvates; Reflex; Sleep; Thymol; Time Factors; Tongue; Urine; Vitamins

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Cholangitis; Clinical Trials as Topic; Erythromycin; Female; Fungi; Humans; Infant; Infections; Male; Meningitis; Meningoencephalitis; Peritonitis; Pneumonia; Staphylococcal Infections; Urine

To determine the relation between lipid peroxidation and the antioxidants ascorbate, urate, and glutathione in epithelial lining fluid in ventilated premature babies, and to relate the biochemical findings to clinical outcome.. A cohort study conducted between January 1999 and June 2001.. A NHS neonatal intensive care unit.. An opportunity sample of 43 ventilated babies of less than 32 weeks gestation.. The duration of supplementary oxygen according to the definition of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; oxygen dependency at 36 weeks gestational age).. Epithelial lining fluid was sampled by bronchoalveolar lavage. Ascorbate, urate, glutathione, and malondialdehyde (a marker of lipid peroxidation) were measured.. Babies who developed BPD had significantly lower initial glutathione concentrations (mean (SEM) 1.89 (0.62) v 10.76 (2.79) microM; p = 0.043) and higher malondialdehyde concentrations (mean (SEM) 1.3 (0.31) v 0.345 (0.09) microM; p < 0.05) in the epithelial lining fluid than those who were not oxygen dependent. These variables were poor predictors of the development of BPD. Gestational age, endotracheal infection, and septicaemia had good predictive power. The level of oxidative damage was associated with the presence of endotracheal infection/septicaemia rather than inspired oxygen concentration.. Endotracheal infection, septicaemia, and gestational age, rather than antioxidant concentrations, are the most powerful predictors of the development of BPD.

Topics: Aging; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Cohort Studies; Glutathione; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Infections; Lipid Peroxidation; Logistic Models; Lung; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Oxygen; Prognosis; Respiration, Artificial; Uric Acid

The effect of oral vitamin C on chemotactic and random migration of neutrophils in 20 neonates (10 normal and 10 with suspected sepsis) was evaluated. Chemotaxis and random migration were studied between 24 and 48 hours of life, before and 24 hours after the administration of 400 mg (divided in four doses) of vitamin C. Chemotactic migration improved by 65% and random migration by 57% following vitamin C administration. The significant improvement in chemotaxis (P less than .01) and random migration may justify the inclusion of vitamin C as an adjunct to the therapy of neonatal sepsis.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Cell Movement; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Neutrophils

A Candida albicans corneal ulcer developed in a 24-year-old man with a history of eczema, asthma, and multiple bacterial infections since childhood. The infection responded well to oral flucytosine (12 g/day for 15 days) and topical amphotericin B. Positive laboratory findings included eosinophilla, hyperimmunoglobulinemia E, and impaired neutrophil and monocyte spontaneous migration and chemotactic responses. Ascorbic acid corrected the monocyte defect in vitro and in vivo, but had no effect on neutrophil function.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Bacterial Infections; Candidiasis; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Corneal Ulcer; Humans; Hypergammaglobulinemia; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Infections; Male; Monocytes; Neutrophils; Recurrence; Syndrome

Topics: Age Factors; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Arsenicals; Ascorbic Acid; Cortisone; Croton Oil; Dinitrochlorobenzene; Electric Stimulation; Female; Genes, Dominant; Guinea Pigs; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Immunogenetics; Infections; Physical Exertion; Pregnancy; Seasons; Sex Factors; Skin Tests; Stress, Physiological

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Burns; Child; Contraceptives, Oral; Depression; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Infant; Infections; Leg Ulcer; Pyridoxine; Scurvy; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins; Wound Healing; Zinc

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Deficiency Diseases; Diet; Humans; Infections; Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Catechol Oxidase; Infections; Nicotiana; Oxygen Consumption; Plant Diseases; Plants, Toxic; Temperature; Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Cataract Extraction; Drug Synergism; Humans; Infection Control; Infections; Middle Aged; Riboflavin

Topics: Adult; Aerosols; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchitis; Dermatologic Agents; Dust; Humans; Infections; Inflammation; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Silicosis; Tannins

Topics: Adenoviridae; Adenoviridae Infections; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Cough; Culture Techniques; Humans; Infections; Orthomyxoviridae; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Picornaviridae; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Diseases

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Humans; Infections; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Osteomyelitis; Peritonitis; Pleural Diseases; Pneumonia; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Suppuration; Surgical Wound Infection; Tetracycline; Thiamine

Topics: Aged; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hemoglobinometry; Humans; Infections; Infusions, Parenteral; Iron-Dextran Complex; Male

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Erythrocytes, Abnormal; Erythropoiesis; Folic Acid; Humans; Infections; Pathology; Reticulocytes

Topics: Anticoagulants; Ascorbic Acid; Breast Feeding; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Common Cold; Dental Caries; Female; Fluorides; Humans; Infections; Iodine; Lactation; Myocardial Infarction; Penicillins; Pregnancy; Preventive Medicine; Silver Nitrate; Sulfonamides; Urinary Calculi

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Transfusion; Child; Diarrhea; Folic Acid; Humans; Infant; Infections; Nutrition Disorders

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Germ-Free Life; Humans; Infections; Scurvy

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Cysteine; Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Infection Control; Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Infections; Oxytetracycline; Vitamin A; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Cysteine; Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Bacterial Infections; Humans; Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Humans; Infant; Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Infections; Poliomyelitis; Virus Diseases; Viruses; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Hepatitis; Hepatitis A; Humans; Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Deficiency Diseases; Hemorrhage; Humans; Infections; Metabolism; Niacin; Nicotinic Acids; Nutritional Sciences; Nutritional Status; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Vitamins; Wounds and Injuries

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Humans; Infections

Topics: Antitoxins; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Infections; Palatine Tonsil; Pharyngitis; Scarlet Fever; Toxins, Biological